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REPORT: Sussex start well before rain proves the winner

18-Jul-2012

Less than 30 overs were possible on Day One of Sussex’s LV=County Championship Division One clash with Durham at Arundel Castle today as the rain once again had the final say.

With Monday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Kent Spitfires also being washed out during the Festival of Cricket, it was a pleasure to see play starting on time this morning only for the players to leave the field shortly before lunch and not return again on Day One.

It looked as though Michael Yardy’s decision to field first was a good one after winning the toss this morning. It was in the third over that James Anyon (pictured) struck, the captain taking a tremendous catch at slip to dismiss Will Smith. And Anyon moved onto a hat-trick with a brute of a delivery very next ball as he bowled Gordon Muchall all ends up, reducing Durham to 2 for 1.

Ben Stokes was the next victim as the visitors managed to find their feet briefly but it was another seamer getting in on the act, Steve Magoffin the bowler with Yardy pouching another catch. Mark Stoneman was the stand-out batsman for Durham, making a half-century before he was trapped lbw by Monty Panesar.

That brought the vastly experienced pair of Dale Benkenstein and Paul Collingwood to the wicket but at 92 for 4 the players left the field for an early lunch due to the rain and they failed to return.

Play is due to resume at 11.00am tomorrow morning and we will of course keep you posted with the latest Prospects of Play via our website, phone line and Facebook/Twitter feeds.